Environmental Crimes

Countering Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Illegal Trade

A project to assess the phenomenon and design new strategies

While the demand for electronic equipment increases, so does the illegal trade and disposal of electronic waste, known as e-waste or WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment). Due to the hazardous substances contained in it, WEEE has the potential to become a huge threat to human health and environment. Additionally, it contains some metals of interest to black market actors and organized criminal groups. To enhance the capabilities of countries to combat this growing phenomenon, UNICRI and its partners have launched the Countering WEEE Illegal Trade (CWIT) project, funded by the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013).